Overview

Wellington’s curriculum reflects the School’s belief that education is about sowing seeds – intellectual, cultural, physical, social, moral, spiritual – and knowing that pupils will bloom at different times and in different colours.

We aim to provide an appropriately challenging and stimulating curriculum that will allow all pupils to fulfil their academic potential, and that takes individual differences into account. We strive to develop independent thinkers and resilient learners who are not afraid of academic risk-taking and have the freedom to learn from their mistakes.

Whilst we acknowledge that examination results are important, we also believe that the best in education cannot and should not always be measured, and that lessons are learned both in and outside of the classroom. We want to awaken in our pupils a lifelong love of learning and we intend our curriculum to provide pupils with an environment where they not only learn, but also learn how to learn and learn about others and themselves.

Pupils at Wellington School experience a balanced academic curriculum and a rich co-curricular programme, which together promote intellectual, spiritual, moral, cultural and physical development, and strength of character, thereby preparing pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

In particular the curriculum aims to enable all pupils to develop:

• a sense of enquiry, the ability to question, investigate, acquire and select knowledge, solve problems and argue rationally;
• a willingness to apply themselves and an aptitude for learning in spite of difficulty;
• knowledge and skills relevant to adult life and employment in a changing world;
• literacy, numeracy and competence in the use of information technology;
• creativity, independence of thought, critical awareness, empathy and sensitivity;
• a recognition of their own and others’ achievements in school and beyond;
• confidence in themselves and a sense of self-worth;
• the skills of working as an individual and co-operatively with others;
• appropriate moral and spiritual values and tolerance of others, to value each individual and to learn to live together in an atmosphere of mutual respect;
• an awareness of their place in the community and opportunities for service to each other and the community;
• a broad knowledge of public institutions and services in the UK;
• an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures in a way that promotes tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions;
• an understanding of sustainability and responsibility to the environment;
• knowledge and skills necessary for success in public examinations.

Throughout their time at the School, pupils’ progress and attainment will be regularly monitored and shared with parents.

Whilst the School is not restricted by the National Curriculum, the Schemes of Work of many Departments encompass its demands.